Fishing

Fishing was an almost endless task of hauling in the net, gutting the fish, clearing and cleaning the deck, repairing gear and making ready for shooting the net once more. Although the crew worked the same watches as on the outward journey it was only when the fish were stowed that the watch could turn in. If the fishing was good the next haul would be ready before the last was stowed. Sleep was scarce in these conditions with unbroken runs of thirty-six or forty-eight hours on deck.

To try and keep warm and dry the fisherman would wear a thick woollen jersey and a plaid muffler and heavy woollen trousers called fearnoughts. When it was wet and stormy he would wear an oilskin coat, an 'oily' and an oilskin hat, a sou'wester, plus long sea boots.